Spain's Ministry of Health pressured over menopause medication shortages

A petition led by Rebeca Marín has gathered over 16,500 signatures demanding that the Ministry of Health take urgent action to address the shortage of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications, specifically estrogen and progesterone.

Marín, a 49-year-old patient, reports that the scarcity of these treatments has forced women to act like “detectives,” traveling between different pharmacies and calling multiple locations to locate prescribed medication. She argues that access to these treatments should be guaranteed similarly to other chronic medications, such as those for diabetes or thyroid issues.

The campaign calls for the Ministry to implement preventive measures to ensure a steady supply, establish accessible therapeutic alternatives, and provide updated information to healthcare professionals regarding medication availability. Pharmacists and scientific societies have also noted increased tension in the market regarding these specific hormone presentations.